The amount of body
fat you carry, your body fat percentage, makes a
difference to your body shape and your health. Body
fat measurement can give you a true picture of your
fitness and health risks than weight scales. Devices
like body fat monitor that use bioelectrical impedance
offer a quick and fairly accurate way to track your
body fat.
Body Fat Measurement
Bioelectrical Impedance
Bioelectrical Impedance technology means that
body fat monitors are now easy to operate and available
for home use. A very low level electrical signal is
sent through the body - normally by standing on sensors
on a body fat monitor. The signal travels quickly through
lean tissue, which has a high percentage of water and
is therefore a good conductor of electricity, and more
slowly through fat, as fat has a lower percentage of
water and is therefore a poor conductor of electricity.
Bioelectrical Impedance devices use the information
from this signal to work out body fat percentage.
Getting Accurate Readings
with BIA Body Fat Monitors
You must not be dehydrated - do not use first
thing in the morning or immediately after a workout
or after consuming alcohol. Use 3 hours after a meal
and after voiding your bladder. Women may experience
fluctuations with retaining water, and those on diuretics
may see inaccurate readings. You need to weigh yourself
without clothes.
HEALTHY RANGE
OF BODY FAT
To take your body fat percentage yourself at home,
you can use one of the bioelectrical impedance devices
for a measurement that is about as consistent and accurate
as hydrostatic weighing, and as easy to use as your
bathroom scale. |
